Hughesy

Absolutely detest Busquets. He is just reprehensible in every way.

Disagree, there is a difference. Players like Maria and Marcelo for Madrid do dive but they don't roll around the floor trying to get the opponent sent off. Example when De Maria dived against Alves, he was frustrated and held his hands up but he wasn't clutching his face like Pedro did or his knees like Alves did. Cheating nevertheless but different degrees. Christ what a load of s***. Yes, you're right. After Madrid players dive they immediately get up and tell the ref not to give a free kick and they'll never do it again. Di Maria showed 3 fingers to the ref when he went down, indicating how many times Alves had 'fouled' him, which got Alves booked. In fairness, if Alves could tackle as well as he can dive, Di Maria wouldn't need to tell the ref how many times he'd been fouled.

Shooting to the Leazes and last week against Manchester United - a ball is dropping to the back post for Williamson with no opposition player near him - great chance to get a header on goal or head back across the face. As he's about to meet the ball Shola comes flying through the air and clatters into the back of him - ball goes out for a bye kick - Williamson is flattened and Shola is lying on top of him. Everyone around me asks what is Shola doing? Commitment some might say, others another example of how useless and brainless he can be. I remember the incident. Shola was moving forward to the ball and Williamson was moving backward - Shola was definitely in the better position to head it. Shola shouted for it so loud that you could hear it on camera, but Williamson either ignored him or was too committed to adjust. The two of them had a bit of an argument afterwards. Whoever's fault it was, it wasn't clear cut. It looked like it was Shola's header quite easily. And he called for it. Nothing wrong with what Shola did there at all.

Yes - and I've asked quite a straightforward question in return. Can you name a manager who has won the CL with a 'worse' team? No-one is disputing the fact that Porto were a good team - albeit I imagine barely amongst the top 16 favourites to win the CL that year. But I cannot think of a 'worse' team to win the CL? Therefore, that makes Mourinho's achievement that much greater.

That Porto team was a team he built, and it only became half the Portuguese national side when he came along. Deco was an average player until Mourinho came onto the scene. (7 league goals in 3 seasons before scoring 13 in Jose's first season alone), Ferreira, Derlei, Mendes and Valente were all signed from mid table Portuguese clubs, Carvalho was third choice and had spent the past two seasons on loan (and had only made a a single league game for Porto) and his Captain Costa had to be recalled from loan. Alberto, Maniche and McCarthy were all signed by him as well. All those players were no names or names only in Portugal. Deco wasn't really averaged, and also the 13 goals he scored was during the season when Mourinho signed, Mourinho signed however only in January. Vitor Baia had been injured and had played for Barcelona prior to that and wasn't exactly unkown. Costinha had won Ligue 1 and arrived prior to Mourinho. Carvalho became 3rd choice under Mourinho as he had partnered Jorge Andrade for most of the season before Mourinho came. On the other hand he did build his team, I'll give you that, but he also had the money to do so. The players he signed weren't exactly unknown in Portugal. That said, he's a great manager, but ALL I've been trying to say is that there's an exxageration in terms of praise. Its not exactly like he has ever had a s*** team and won stuff with a s*** team. Just to clarify... who has won the CL with a bad team? Who has won the CL with a 'worse' team than Porto? And also it would be useful to offer an opinion without relying entirely on hindsight when it comes to judging the merits of players.

Typical Stoke fan tbh. 2 transfer windows a season man 2!!!!!! Pretty sure you can loan outside of the transfer windows.

Don't think he is as good in the air as he should be (for example last night with Hernandez, N'Zogbia at home this season). For both his height and the fact that he is meant to be the 'simple, uncomprising' defender. In fact - I don't think he is physically strong enough or dominating to play that role. Has a tendency to get bullied by the bigger, more powerful strikers I think. That said, I like him and think he is a good centre half.

26 league goals in 71 league isn't an excellent scoring record...

If fit, Harper will be straight back in I reckon. Apparently the bench were not happy with Krul's distribution last night. Who says the bench weren't happy?

Wasn't it Mourinho at Porto who used to push about 4 men out of the box at corners?

Quality game last night.

I am still in shock from the Ian Wright v Shearer comparison rather than Carroll vs Shearer.

Has someone actually tried to makea genuine argument to suggest that Ian Wright was a better footballer than Shearer? Is it April Fool's?

Or Michael Owen. Or Woodgate

Bet you we go for someone like Hargreaves.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1377527/Stephen-Irelands-girlfriend-Jessica-Lawlor-seriously-injured-car-crash.html

I loathe Busquets. He really is detestable.

Nailed on.

Yeah - what a twat.

What a load of crap. Comical.

Two Cheiks of a lamb's tail.

I am not sure what you mean by good close control. He can dribble with the ball ok, but his ability to control a football coming towards is not of a Premiership standard.

Pisses all over anything we have. God, that's awful.

Seem to remember him having some absolute stormers in the CL as well. Against Juventus in particular if I remember correctly.

Best's injured isn't he?